Dialing into God and Dialing into each other is necessary to keep us lovingly connected.

Dear Family of Love,

Happy You Matter Monday! I hope everyone had a good day and that you are being renewed tonight after a busy Monday. Evening's are the best time to make an effort for Sabbath rest and tuning in with God. But of course those of you who are regular readers of Walk With Me On Our Journey know this. If you are a new reader this is part of who we are and what we do. We always make Sabbath time important and not just on Sunday. Everyday God calls us to rest and pray. This helps our bodies, minds, and spirits become focused on what is important. So tonight after you read this blog take time for personal Sabbath rest and renewal. God is always near and waiting for you to make the connection as much as God already is.

 For a cut loose moment here please listen to this by the Manhattan Transfer:Operator . 

Now that we are sufficiently jazzed up let us talk about how important Dialing into God and Each other are. Being dialed into God isn't always easy but it is the one kind of conversation and relationship that should be the model for all others. Speaking (praying) to God isn't a one sided ego trip where it is gimme, gimme, gimme. NO, it goes deeper than that and is certainly more profound. When we speak to God we speak with loving, respectful, tender, and reverential  hearts and lips. At the same time we must open our hearts and ears to hear, listen, and obey. Obedience in the Benedictine sense is "Listening with the ear of the heart" As we pray we must take time for silence and centering ourselves where God wants us to be. Prayer walking is where I find and meet God at the altar in God's Cathedral of life. Sometimes praying and speaking with and to God isn't easy. As with all relationships it takes work, dedication, reverence, and love.  The same goes for when we are dialing in with each other.  Remember we cannot separate God when we are dialing in with each other because God is always among us. As in the gospel story of the Transfiguration  we cannot make one booth for God, Each other (This means neighbors, family members, enemies, the least of these, and those who hate us), and ourselves. Just as God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit are one, the love we have for God, ourselves, and each other are one and inextricably linked. When we are dialed in with each other we must first love, respect, treat everyone with the same dignity, and kindness. Everyone gets to have the same treatment and needs to be accepted and included lovingly and with warmth. Just as we treat God with love, reverence, dignity and respect we must afford ourselves and each other the same treatment and care. We need to speak to each other the same we speak to God! Don't forget to add yourself too.  I want you to listen to this song that was sung at yesterday's  "Love. Period-The First Annual Interfaith Pride Service - There's Honey in the Rock , listen to this and pay attention to the words and sing along!

Let us pray for all God's Children this night an always. Remember as we pray for All God's Children that means all of us. 

We pray for all of our family members this night and always.

We pray for all children that they may be loved and gently cared for and treated with dignity and respect.

We pray for all caregivers that they may be afforded love, respect, and respite care.

We pray for our enemies that we may learn to love and find ways to become united/

We pray for our animal kingdom family members and especially those who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

We pray for all refugees, political prisoners, victims of violence, abuse, and terror.

We pray for all of our family members who are vulnerable and feel invisible. 

We pray for all of our LGBTQ family members who are continuing to seek for inclusion and loving acceptance. We pray that we who are in the process of coming out may find it a safe place and a place of springs. We pray that we may be afforded love and dignified treatment.

We pray for all of our family members who practice other religions not our own may be given the same love, respect, dignity, and  freedom to practice their and our faiths without fear or retribution.

We pray for all of our family members who have different political leanings as ours that we may come to a mutual understanding of dignity and respect and find common ground.

We pray for all of our family members who are in need of food, clothing, and shelter that we may rise and lovingly respond to their needs.

We pray for all our family members who are grieving, lonely, lost, and afraid. We pray that we may lovingly respond and be compassionate with empathetic and sympathetic hearts.

We pray for _______________

We give thanks for_______________

We remember___________________

We celebrate_________________

We lift up these our prayers to our Brother, Redeemer, Friend, Jesus who teaches us daily how to be one with each other in love.  Amen.

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Good Night Dear Family of Love! I love you!  May you take time for Sabbath Care tonight as you prepare for Take Care Tuesday tomorrow. I Give God Thanks for you this night and always!

As in yesterday's Interfaith service title: "Love. Period!"

Sara


The tearjerker photo of the day. I saw this Winnie the Pooh stuffed Teddy Bear in the street today as I walked. It says "I Love you!"  We don't get to throw love away, we give love away as a gift" Love is precious, love is love, and love is everlasting so much that love means never having to say "Goodbye". Please pray for the child who lost their precious toy that must have been loving and comforting.